Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

Igor Makarov was born in Moscow and is a product of the Krilia Sovetov (Soviet Wings) hockey school. While consistently one of the best 87 born forwards in the Soviet Wings system, the young forward came into his own during the 2004-05 season, his first full season since transferring from his 1987 born class squad to the Soviet Wings junior farm team, Soviet Wings 2. There he proved his worth as an offensive threat and earned notice by the coaches of Russia’s 87 born U18 squad. Despite being a late 87 player and skating in the 1st League (Russia 3), Makarov earned an invite to Russia’s 87 born national team. While Makarov did not “wow” anyone with his performance at the warm-up tournaments leading up to the U18 World Junior Championships, Makarov’s versatility and energy earned him a spot at the U18 WJC. There, Makarov faced his best competition yet and really came into his own, becoming one of the bright spot on otherwise mostly sub-par Russian national squad. Makarov’s five goals lead all of Russians in scoring.

Makarov did not make the WJC team in 2006.

The young forward possesses a great combination of speed, versatility and energy, but he does lack size and not making the 86 born U20 squad in his draft year also did not bode well for him, even though it was a year too early for him. Still, Makarov impressed at the 2005 U18 WJC and at the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge.
2007-08: Makarov played his second season with SKA St.Petersburg of the Russian Super League (now the Continental Hockey League), nearly doubling his output from the previous year. This performance was the direct result of more playing time, as Makarov saw full-time duties on the second and third lines. Makarov is still one of the youngest members of the team and competes regularly against players who are 10-15 years his elder. Despite these obstacles, Makarov managed to compile 16 points in 50 regular season games with St. Petersburg, while adding three points in nine playoff games for the club.
2008-09: Despite a strong training camp and preseason performance in Chicago, Makarov returned to the KHL for another season. He skated in 42 games with SKA St. Petersburg, scoring 9 goals and 8 assists for 17 points to go along with 61 PIMs. He also notched 1 goal in 3 playoff appearances.
2009-10: Makarov scored 4 goals, 2 assists for 6 points in 26 games with SKA St. Petersburg before being traded to Dynamo Moscow, where he recorded 1 goal and 2 assists in 25 games. He was scoreless in 4 postseason appearances.
2010-11: Making his North American debut, Makarov skated in 68 AHL games with the Rockford IceHogs. He scored 11 goals, 13 assists for a total of 24 points, which ranked tenth on the team.

Talent Analysis

A good skater with a strong foot speed and acceleration...possesses an effortless stride and an above-average agility...above average balance for a smallish player...deceptive puck handling skills...can fight and maneuver his way out of tight spaces regularly...able to succeed in one-on-one situations...knows how to get into position for a scoring opportunity...possesses a fast-released wrist shot...needs to work on the hardness of the slap shot...plays with lots of energy and is effective on the back check...a tight forecheker...average defensive awareness...blocks the opposing passing lanes and spots his man quickly...can throw a decent hit even on a bigger player, but clearly lacks size and physical power...a good asset on both the powerplay and the penalty kill units...isn't a tough hitter, but doesn't play with fear...needs to work on his discipline, as he tends to lose his temper at times...a late 1987 born forward.

Future

Makarov has returned to Russia. He signed a three-year contract with SKA St. Petersburg in August, 2011.